In late December, Chad Kodanko, a co-owner of a Wisconsin bar, allegedly took an off-the-clock bartender’s Charlie Kirk-themed hooded sweatshirt and burned it publicly based on his belief that Kirk was bigoted.
According to Wisconsin Right Now, the outlet that first broke the story, Kodanko apologized to the employee, asking for how much he owed to make compensation for the damaged clothing while also defending his rationale for his actions.
“I am not sorry for the message I sent to our staff by doing what I did,” Kodanko wrote. “Charlie Kirk was a bigot and a racist. There is no place for that at Husby’s. We are inclusive and the presence of that sweatshirt was offensive to many staff members… Most or all of your coworkers believe what I believe about Charlie Kirk. I respect people having different points of view but I don’t respect racist or discriminatory behavior. You have to understand most people will tie his hateful beliefs to people than wear a sweatshirt with his name on it. I welcome you explain to your coworkers you don’t believe that stuff because right now they do.”
Another co-owner named James Larsen stated the following in an apology, providing insight into the situation and the business’s stance.
“We obviously had a meeting about this,” Larsen said. “It’s not everyone at our business. Chad apologized to the employee when he realized what he did was wrong. He obviously regrets it as well.”
“This was not a representation of our business,” Larsen continued. “This was an individual. He doesn’t work at our business, although he is an owner of our business. We respect everyone’s viewpoints. We are a bar. We don’t want to be on either side of the spectrum. Now we’re in a bad spot.”
Kodanko eventually posted an apology on Husby’s Facebook page, announcing his complete departure from the business “due to threats of violence towards our employees and myself.”
